September 8, 2021 by Nesibe Selma
Eviction Moratorium Cancelled: Resources for Tenants Moving Forward
A month before its intended expiry date, the CDC eviction moratorium was suspended by the Supreme Court, leaving tenants vulnerable to homelessness. Over 11 million renters have had trouble paying rent on time during the pandemic as unemployment blanketed the nation.
The temporary halt on evictions did not absolve renters from the responsibility of paying the entirety of their owed rent. Instead, it offered them additional time to seek legal representation for court and apply for rental and utility relief. What made this protection most critical, however, was its attempts to curb homelessness, which has been linked to increased COVID cases.
The emergence of the Delta variant (and its subsequent offshoots) has caused legitimate concern in Texas; with schools operating regularly and the heightened traffic around travel and crowded events, COVID cases have been escalating with speed. For many, being allowed to stay in their homes affords their household more safety from the virus. As displaced individuals seek new dwellings, an eviction on their record may also limit their options.
What now?
Rental assistance programs are still available to Texans who qualify, and we can help you find those that you are eligible for. These programs help tenants pay rent and utility bills that have been piling up during the pandemic:
Lone Star Legal Aid can also help represent you in court. Our Eviction Right 2 Counsel project’s mission is to provide an attorney to every tenant, who will represent them in eviction court, rather than merely providing forms or self-help resources. We also aim to provide representation to undocumented tenants.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy on behalf of low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those who have disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at http://www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org
